When someone dies without a will and no heirs can be found, their estate is claimed by the Crown. We specialise in tracing the rightful beneficiaries of unclaimed estates across the United Kingdom and beyond.
Heir searching — also known as heir tracing, heir hunting, or probate research — is the process of locating the rightful beneficiaries of an estate where the deceased person died intestate (without a valid will) or where named beneficiaries in a will cannot be found.
In England and Wales, when someone dies without a will and no entitled relatives come forward, the estate is referred to the Government Legal Department's Bona Vacantia Division. The estate is then published on the official unclaimed estates list, where it may remain for years or even decades waiting for a legitimate claimant.
Professional heir search firms like LAZARUS conduct extensive genealogical research to build a complete family tree, identify all potential beneficiaries, and help them navigate the legal process of making a claim. This work requires access to vital records, parish registers, census data, and other documentary sources — often spanning multiple countries and going back several generations.
A clear, structured process from initial research through to successful claim resolution.
We monitor official sources including the GLD Bona Vacantia list, The London Gazette, probate registries, and court records to identify estates where heirs are missing or unknown.
Our research team builds a comprehensive family tree using vital records, census data, church registers, and other documentary sources. We trace every branch until all potential beneficiaries are identified.
Once we have identified a potential heir, we make contact to inform them of their possible entitlement. We explain the estate, the legal basis for their claim, and the next steps.
We help you gather and prepare all required documentation: birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and any other evidence needed to prove the chain of kinship.
We prepare and submit the formal claim to the Government Legal Department or the relevant authority, ensuring all documentation is complete and in the correct format.
Once the claim is approved, we oversee the release and distribution of funds to all entitled beneficiaries. Our fee is deducted only at this stage — never before.
Expertise, technology, and a commitment to transparency at every step.
We combine traditional genealogical research with modern data analysis to trace family lines more quickly and accurately, even in complex international cases.
We operate within the legal frameworks of every jurisdiction we serve, including full compliance with UK GDPR, data protection law, and estate administration regulations.
Our contracts are written in plain English with no hidden clauses. You know exactly what our fee will be before signing anything, and you can withdraw at any time before the claim is submitted.
Many UK estates involve beneficiaries who have emigrated or have roots overseas. We have the capability to trace heirs across multiple countries and jurisdictions.
Our services are available to individuals, legal professionals, and institutions.
If you have been contacted about a potential inheritance, or if you believe a relative may have left an unclaimed estate, we can research the case and manage the claim on your behalf.
We work with solicitors and estate administrators who need to trace missing beneficiaries for estates in their care. We provide comprehensive genealogical reports and evidence packages.
When local councils are responsible for administering the estate of a person who died in their area, we can help identify heirs and ensure the estate is distributed to the rightful beneficiaries.
You pay nothing unless we successfully recover assets for you. Our fee is a percentage of the recovered amount, deducted only after funds are released.
Explore our guides to learn more about unclaimed assets and how the claim process works:
Use our free check tool to find out if there are unclaimed assets connected to your family. No obligation, no cost, no personal data stored.